Forward NGM’s Aleix Espargaro is planning to race with the softest option Bridgestone tyre at this weekend’s Assen MotoGP round as he is able to lap on it more consistently than with the hard option.

Espargaro ended the day at the top of the timesheets, some two tenths faster than Marc Marquez, and says the soft tyre should last a race distance due to a lower track temperature in Holland than at the other tracks this year.

“The strange thing of this weekend is when the rear tyre drop, I can be more consistent with the soft than the hard. I did a lot of lap with the soft tyre, which is really good, so I want to keep making laps with the soft,” said Espargaro, speaking at the track.

“The bike feels really good. I love this track, it is fantastic and I want to keep trying and working tomorrow. The bike must be good as the laptimes are good. I am going to do a long run with the soft as we are closer to racing with it. I will push tomorrow to make more laps and we will see.”